@article{ref1,
title="COVID-19 pandemic effects on the epidemiology and mortality of pediatric firearm injuries; a single center study",
journal="Journal of pediatric surgery",
year="2022",
author="Bernardin, Mary Elizabeth and Clukies, Lindsay and Gu, Hongjie and Fairfax, Connor and Keller, Martin S.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased firearm injuries amongst adults, though the pandemic's effect on children is less clearly understood. <br><br>METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and included youths 0-19 years. The trauma registry was retrospectively queried for firearm injuries occurring pre-COVID-19 pandemic (March 2015-February 2020). Baseline data was compared to prospectively collected data occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-March 2022). Fischer's exact, Pearson's Chi-square and/or correlation analysis was used to compare pre and post-COVID-19 firearm injury rates and intent, victim demographics and disposition. Temporal relationships between firearm injury rates and local COVID-19 death rates were also described. <br><br>RESULTS: 413 pre-COVID-19 firearm injuries were compared to 259 pandemic firearm injuries. Victims were mostly Black males with a mean age of 13.4 years. Compared to the 5 years pre-pandemic, monthly firearm injury rates increased 51.5% (6.8 vs 10.3 shootings/month), including a significant increase (p = 0.04) in firearm assaults/homicides and a relative decrease in unintentional shootings. Deaths increased 29%, and there were significantly fewer ED discharges and more admissions to OR and/or PICU (p = 0.005). There was a significant increase in Black victims (p = 0.01) and those having Medicaid or self-pay (p<0.001). Firearm injury spikes were noted during or within the 3 months following surges in local COVID-19 death rates. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in the frequency and mortality of pediatric firearm injuries, particularly assaults amongst Black children following surges in COVID death rates. Increased violence-intervention services are needed, particularly amongst marginalized communities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This is a prognostic study, evaluating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric firearm injuries, including victim demographics, injury intent and mortality. This study is retrospective and observational, making it Oxford Level III evidence.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-3468",
doi="10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.10.007",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.10.007"
}